Santos FC and the construction company WTorre have signed an official agreement regarding the redevelopment of Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos, in the state of São Paulo. According to The Rio Times, this information was confirmed by club president Marcelo Teixeira during the ceremony marking the club’s 113th anniversary.

What does the investment include?

WTorre S.A. is a Brazilian construction and real estate company founded in 1980. It offers engineering services and infrastructure and logistics solutions throughout Brazil. According to The Rio Times, the signed agreement paves the way for a complete modernization of the club’s infrastructure, aiming to improve Santos FC’s financial standing and upgrade its facilities. The revamped Vila Belmiro will have a capacity of 30,108 spectators, nearly twice as much as the current capacity.

The stadium project was designed by Luiz Volpato, a Brazilian architect and civil engineer. The facility will cover 71,000 square meters, and the minimum construction cost is estimated at R$300 million (Brazilian reals). Construction is expected to take about three years from the start date. The plans also include 300 parking spaces, with the possibility to expand to 600. Most seating will be individual, except for the traditional standing terraces behind the goals.

© Luiz Volpato Arquitectura, WTorre, Santos FC

A long road ahead for Santos

The club needs to raise funds, including through the sale of premium seats and VIP boxes, before construction can begin. If Santos fails to gather sufficient capital, alternative sources of financing will have to be secured. During construction, the club is expected to play its home matches at the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu in São Paulo, which has a capacity of 25,000 spectators.

Negotiations for a new stadium have stretched across several club administrations. Teixeira’s team revised the original agreement, claiming the new version better protects the club’s interests. Alternative locations like Cubatão and Praia Grande were considered, but in the end, the decision was made to rebuild the stadium on its historic site – Vila Belmiro. Some recent minor renovations, funded by private partners, did not strain the club’s budget.

© Luiz Volpato Arquitectura, WTorre, Santos FC

Final contract still being negotiated

Despite preparations for this major investment, the club – which recently earned promotion back to the top tier – continues to focus on financial stability. The board has called for patience, emphasizing that the rebuild is as much about organizational restructuring as it is about infrastructure. The final contract with WTorre will be signed after the technical and financial details, especially those tied to the sale of premium seating, are finalized. Only then will demolition and construction begin.

The club also plans to publicly present the project and its collaboration details. The agreement symbolizes a strategic shift toward a more commercial future for Santos FC. The new stadium is expected to play a key role in boosting revenue and ensuring long-term sustainability.